Nebraska is one year from celebrating 150 years as a state.
While many are wishing the state a “Happy 149th Birthday,” preparations are already underway for the sesquicentennial.
Neb. Sen. Deb Fischer, who also celebrates her birthday Tuesday, shared a birthday video featuring other state leaders.
Next year will include opportunities to celebrate Nebraska’s statehood. See the preliminary list below:
Statehood Day Celebration – March 1, 2017
A statewide celebration of our 150th anniversary, featuring special events at the State Capitol in Lincoln and throughout Nebraska.
Whistle Stop Tour Across Nebraska
A three-day train tour of Nebraska, sponsored by Union Pacific Railroad, with stops and events throughout the state.
Traveling Children’s Museum Exhibit
A partnership with the Omaha Children’s Museum that will celebrate Nebraska’s heritage and focus on future career opportunities for Nebraska’s youth.
The Nebraska Experience
An initiative to ensure that all fourth grade students studying Nebraska history have the opportunity to visit the State Capitol or another historically or culturally significant site in 2017.
One State, One Book Distribution
A program to provide free books about Willa Cather and Chief Standing Bear to Nebraska high school and elementary students with accompanying curriculum.
eNErgize Nebraska
A web-based fitness challenge program (with accompanying mobile app) that will challenge Nebraskans to walk, run, bike, or swim 150 miles or more in 2017.
Impact Nebraska
An initiative to spark teams of volunteers to engage in 150 hours or more of service in 2017 and track their progress through a web-based program.
The Nebraska Atlas Project
A program to provide workbooks developed by Wayne State College Professor Dr. Randy Bertolas and curriculum that highlight fun information about the state and our citizens for every fourth grader in Nebraska.
Preserving Our History
An initiative to digitize, transcribe, and index aging oral histories at the Nebraska State Historical Society in jeopardy of being lost to time and decay. The project will also involve collecting new stories of Nebraskans from all walks of life, generations and experiences for future generations.
A “Sesquicentennial Spectacular Celebration” on Centennial Mall in Lincoln
A large-scale tribute to Nebraska’s history and culture featuring a parade, light show, fireworks, music, art, and more.
Tree Planting Initiative
A partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to help restore the state’s forests and public green spaces that have been affected by ash bore and pine disease.
Special Veterans Day Celebration
In addition to the above events, which will be paid for through private donations, the Nebraska 150 Celebration is lending its support to a variety of events and programs being planned by communities and organizations across the state.
